Question: Can you please explain the rules regarding the new King Street Cycle Track as it pertains to bikers, pedestrians and motorists, especially at the green-painted areas?

Answer: The green "conflict zones" signify areas "where a higher degree of caution is necessary" for both bikers and motorists, said Michael Formby, director of the city Department of Transportation Services.

They are the points at which motorists are allowed to cross the track.

Formby pointed to Section 291C-62 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which says, "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle, bicycle, or person approaching from the opposite direction or proceeding in the same direction when such vehicle, bicycle or person is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard."

He added, "Bottom line, just like a crosswalk, motorists need to slow down, exercise caution and proceed carefully before crossing a conflict zone."

Meanwhile, the "best advice" for motorists emerging from a driveway or side road is to stop before entering the cycle track so that they can view approaching traffic, then yield the right of way to anyone approaching in the track.

"While the cycle track will initially be one-way (with the flow of traffic), motorists should look both ways just like they do for pedestrians who may be walking in both directions on the sidewalks," Formby said. The track later will become two-way.

"DTS is currently fashioning more detailed rules for cycle tracks, and these will be distributed and communicated to the public shortly," Formby said.

Question: Why did the city choose to use asphalt curbing to delineate the bike lane along King Street? It will deteriorate and is a waste of time and taxpayers’ money.

Answer: The reason partly is that the cycle track is a pilot project but also because it is "a common practice" to use asphalt berms to separate the lane from traffic, Formby said.

The cost of the cycle track is between $50,000 to $100,000, mainly for paint, asphalt, signs and bollards. The labor (both design and installation) is being done "in-house," so does not involve extra costs.

The pilot project will run a minimum of six months but might continue longer "while we gather data," Formby said.

Question: Why did the city end the King Street bike lane at Isenberg Street instead of continuing it to University Avenue and connecting it with the bike lane there?

Answer: The mauka, left, side of King Street was chosen for the cycle track because it avoids conflicts with the bus stops, Formby said.

Just beyond Isenberg, the left lane ends at Longs Drugs, making the connection to University Avenue "very difficult."

So, bicyclists headed to the University of Hawaii and to Manoa will be directed to turn left at Isenberg, then right on Coyne Street to University Avenue (where a traffic signal was recently installed but not hooked up). Bikers wishing to go straight on King Street should cross over to the makai side at Isenberg, Formby said.

Meanwhile, the traffic signal at Coyne and University is awaiting electrical connections by Hawaiian Electric Co.

"The timing is not related to the cycle track, although we expect the light to be working before the cycle track is completed," Formby said.

Question: I’ve noticed bikes, mopeds and even a motorcycle using the new bike lane on Waialae Avenue to bypass morning traffic. I always thought bike meant nonmotorized. Can you clarify what vehicles are allowed to use the bike lane?

Answer: Under state law, mopeds are the only other vehicles allowed to travel in a bike lane: "Wherever bicycle lanes are provided on the roadway, moped drivers shall use such bicycle lanes."

However, city transportation officials contend that mopeds should not be allowed in bike lanes on city streets because of the higher speeds they are now able to travel. They are considering proposing a bill in the Legislature to prohibit mopeds in bike lanes.

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